Mumsnet Talk

My daughter will be 10 in the new year and I think she still does believe in santa despite her 12 year old cousins best effort to convince her otherwise.

What age did you or your DC stop believing?

I have an 18 month old so even if she stops next year, she'll still get the stockings etc should I bribe her with those to keep quiet or just let DS understand that once you stop believing, Santa won't bring them...

I have a fear that my 6 yar old is having doubts already. She's very pragmatic and sensible and she keeps quizzing me about how he gets right round the world in one night...I said "by magic" and she actually did this

I have been with my 6yo ds when three of his (similar aged) friends (on three seperate occasions) have told him there is no santa; that it's just your mum and dad.

Yeah I'm feeling the same way.

She loves watching santa films though so I think she's in denial about it.

I am sure she is doubting though.

ds1 recently told me he doesnt believe anymore. he will be 12 in march

My mum and dad told me when I was 10. I had known since I was about 8 or 9 (found receipts for presents) but I still hoped it might be true. Think I sobbed when my mum and dad told me

They must have thought I didn't know which was why they told me but I didn't like being told.

DD was about 9, ds sussed it out at 6 and blabbed to his class

Ds2 age 11 doesn't believe this year.
DD1 age 7 isn't sure she if he is real or not. Luckily i think i can wing it for at least one more year with her! It is a few boys in her class at school who are telling everyone he isn't real.

All year my nephew has been saying it to her

I want to keep it going for DS though. Last yea h wasn't at all fussed about opening presents - just that my mm had let his sister take a chocolate off the tree that he'd spent the last few weeks trying to get at

This year I am hoping he'll be more excited!

dd1 is 6 and showing no signs of not believing yet. She used to absolutely believe in fairies etc but about 6 months ago she started hinting that they probably weren't real though she's playing along again now. I think she enjoys the make believe iyswim. I suspect FC will go the same way next year

DS is nearly 7 and appears to totally believe still. Suspect it will start happening over the next couple of years.

I was about 4'or 5. Mum got me a cuddly kangaroo and put a note from Santa in the pouch but despite her best efforts to disguise it I recognised the handwriting!

My DD is 3'and when we've tried telling her about Santa she just does this hopefully she will pick it up at school and even if she's as cynical as I was I hope we can still put out carrots for reindeer etc

Mine are 8 and still believe! I love that they do and know it won't last for ever

My 14, 11 and 9 y/o dsc's haven't believed in father Christmas for years but I'll still get them stockings this year, and they'll hang them on the fireplace and leave mince pies for him! We all like playing the game, sometimes actual belief doesn't matter. Your dd will be able to play along for longer because of her younger sibling.

Ds admitted he didn't believe when he was 8 - he had been sceptical for a couple of years, but didn't say anything as he thought he then might not get any presents!

We still do a stocking even though he knows it comes from us now. And he has always been very good at not blabbing to the children who do still believe.

Mine are 3 and 4 so not coming yet, but I believed until I was about 6 or 7, I had 3 older sisters and a youner brother and when we questioned it we were told the truth but then brought into the 'game' lie by explaining that younger children like a bit of magic so to keep the secret for them. We kept it going with my baby brother for years

DS (nearly 9) said 'I know it's probably not real, but I'd rather think it is because it's a nice thought'

Four-year-old DNephew still fully believes, and this is the first Christmas for us since he has been living with me, so I am looking forward to making a huge deal out of it. Not sure if it's more for him or me () but Father Christmas will definitely be visting the tainted house this year!

I think I probably still at least partially believed until I was 11, but maybe suspected from an earlier age.

There is a difference between stopping believing and suspended disbelief.

My two aged 13&11 do not believe anymore, but they suspend their disbelief because they enjoy the whole thing! so like MummyNumber2 they do the whole mince pies and carrots, stockings etc. Why not? It's great fun!

Oh Tidey, that sounds so sweet!

awww these posts have been good to hear - I know she'll carry it on regardless

I think the stocking etc thing will just become more of a tradition in the long run.

I can't believe any child of 7+ still believes in Father Christmas. If they say they do they're just going along with it all, surely? Unless they live in a complete bubble that is.

I remember adults telling me stuff about Father Christmas when I was 5 or 6 and I was but just went along with it to please the adults and other children. I AM very cynical though.

I'm very cynical, and I still fully believed until at least the age of 8 or 9. I may well be in the minority there, but I plan to keep my children believing for as long as possible.

DS1 was 7 when he stopped believing. He still keeps up the pretence for the sake of his younger siblings though.